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Electric Shavers vs Razors

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i used a Mach III for years, but got tired of the nicks. now i use a Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV.

Pros: for me, it works great BEFORE a shower.

Cons: if the charge is low, it'll just stop in the middle of a shave & you can't use it while it's charging. for me, post-shower shaves are terrible.
 
Spamela said:
i used a Mach III for years, but got tired of the nicks. now i use a Panasonic ES8243A Arc IV.

Pros: for me, it works great BEFORE a shower.

Cons: if the charge is low, it'll just stop in the middle of a shave & you can't use it while it's charging. for me, post-shower shaves are terrible.
Click to expand...

I found a huge difference between the powered and non-powered versions (keep in mind in my experience the non-powered cartridges are the same as the powered and usually either cheaper for the package or the package contains 2+ more for the same price).

Also moving up to the Fusion Powered I currently use, it's almost impossible to nick myself or get razor burn/ingrowns/etc.

I used a safety razor first from my Dad. I had to do it with a mirror and be careful (however; a lot less careful than a straight razor which I thought was cool at the time, but takes to long to use yourself)...then I switched to cartridge double bladed razors and then the Mach III when it came out.

In between I tried a few highly rated electrics along the way by Norelco and Remington.

They did a good job, but I didn't like the metal taste I could sense using them, and the shaves weren't very close. They'd feel fine in the morning, but by afternoon I had stubble.

With a blade I am smooth until the evening.
 
After alot of research I got a Braun 5 series (made in Germany) about 18 months ago (the 3 series was from China and got much worse reviews). The orginal blades lasted 15 months, ~$30 to replace them.
Still I need to use a standard 2 blade wilkinson (Walmart's cheapest) to get a very close shave about 1 time per week.
 
z1ggy said:
Yep +1 I just started wet shaving, using a EJ safety razor, same soap and brush. Still experimenting on what blades I like best, but so far I like Wilkinson and Derby a lot, but I still want to try the all mighty Feather. Not sure if I'd like it, but I do have pretty thick facial hair.

Merkur blades which tend to be the least sharp, were just not getting it done for me.
Click to expand...

Sweet jeebus, I can't stand Derby blades; for me, they are not sharp and not smooth. I mostly use Astras and Personnas. I have probably 10 different blades I rotate based on my mood.

OP, if traditional shaving is something you'd like to try, I'd recommend getting an Injector type razor. Almost as easy to use as a cart razor, but only one blade doing the work. Pick up a synthetic brush like the Plisson/L'Occitane or a Frank Shaving jobby from ebay or amazon. For software, pick up some Van der Hagen soap. Fantastic shaving on the cheap. Once you get hooked, it can get expensive depending on how much you'd like to indulge yourself.

I've never had any luck with electrics and approaching anything that resembled a serviceable shave. The wife also likes the closer shave of a real razor.
 
These kinds of things make expensive blades last an extremely long time:

http://www.amazon.com/RazorPit-Razor.../dp/B004W2UMDW

There is a reason straight and then 'safety' razors went out of style and the cartridge system came to be.

I get an extremely close shave (powered Fusion) and never worry about nicks and burn. I tried the old style safety razors, better soaps, brushes, blades and it's just not worth the savings.

This method also works for free:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ADaRIqy0Dc
 
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alkemyst said:
These kinds of things make expensive blades last an extremely long time:

http://www.amazon.com/RazorPit-Razor.../dp/B004W2UMDW

There is a reason straight and then 'safety' razors went out of style and the cartridge system came to be.

I get an extremely close shave (powered Fusion) and never worry about nicks and burn. I tried the old style safety razors, better soaps, brushes, blades and it's just not worth the savings.

This method also works for free:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ADaRIqy0Dc
Click to expand...

That guy didn't "discover" that technique. I heard of it around 8 years ago, basically almost as soon as I started shaving. And cartridges don't last for 20 months. Maybe instead of a week it'll last for 6 months maybe, but I call bullshit on a year and a half.
 
Edit: slightly tipsy, caveat emptor. I do stand by the message, might regret word choices later. 🙂

I dunno, after you learn how to shave with a single blade, you realize that your blades only cost between 10 and 50 cents each. That blade is good for at least 3, upwards of 6-10 shaves. (I've had several Feathers go 10, and they mostly go 8 for me...) Really good and comfortable shaves. The blades are cheap enough that if there's the least bit of tug or discomfort, you shit-can them.

I've tried stropping carts before. While it can extend their serviceable life, it's not comfortable or economic in my eyes (or against my face, if you will.) If you take some time to read about honing and straight razor maintenance, you'd realize that you can't sharpen a cartridge. If you can't "reach" both sides of the edge, you can't do anything but a half-ass strop job.

I don't mean to be aggressive in tone by way of word choice, but as much as it's "your mileage may vary," it's also irrefutable that you can't sharpen anything without touching both sides of the edge. I guess it depends on what you define as the outcome of just stropping one side of the cartridge's edge. Either way, life is too short to get bent out of shape about stuff like this. May all of you have comfortable shaves.
 
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Mr. Pedantic said:
That guy didn't "discover" that technique. I heard of it around 8 years ago, basically almost as soon as I started shaving. And cartridges don't last for 20 months. Maybe instead of a week it'll last for 6 months maybe, but I call bullshit on a year and a half.
Click to expand...

Where did I say he discovered it, also thanks for sharing this with the rest of us since you already knew all about it.

Most cartridges like the Fusion will last more than a week, about up to a month.
 
I guess the Wahl lasted 6 months, it's getting pretty lame atm.

Might have to find something more long term.

I might just go back to something along these lines...

import-Merkur-REAL.jpg


iwajabitw said:
Have the Merker 23 my self to trim up after the straight razor. I still use the a badger brush with Taylor of Old Bond Street soaps. Can't beat a good wet shave.
Click to expand...
 
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I use both. Electric for a quick daily, if I get lazy for a couple days then I have to use a razor. I just get disposables.
 
shortylickens said:
The blades are WAY cheaper. Its basically 5 cents a shave which you cant do with the fancy Gillette blades.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I used to have a safety razor like that from my mother long ago, even a straight razor from one of my great grancfather I belive that was bone handled.

Those are some awesomely sharp, fragile bladed razors.

I'd personally never try to shave with a straight razor, would be afraid I'd kill myself by accident one morning.
 
HeXen said:
I use both. Electric for a quick daily, if I get lazy for a couple days then I have to use a razor. I just get disposables.
Click to expand...

I can kill a disposable in two days, easily.

Why I'm looking at alternatives, they cost too much.

Sorry about Necroing the thread to begin with, but the Wahl was pretty much puking out.
 
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Good lord, the Merker came in and the new blades.

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

I tried it out with just hot water and hand soap, cut off a 1/2" long full beard in about 10 minutes with one blade.

Had to take it apart and unclog it 3 times, but you can't do that with a cartridge either.

The Personna's are about 13 cents a pop I guess, but compared to a cartridge, who cares with a box of 100 🙂

I had even been using Fusions at one time, wish I'd gotten one of these long ago.

Works better if it clogs up just take it apart, the only nick I got was one very small one after I had cut the beard off and put a second new blade in it for clean up.

Going to have to get me a decent brush and cream.

91XWk9rkc%2BL._SL1500_.jpg


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003WR3QSG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2U3XBAMXKHMHK

916oLylxnEL._SL1500_.jpg


A1UntnzgKQL._SL1500_.jpg


91wUWi9MR7L._SL1500_.jpg


Been trying to decide what to try out.

iwajabitw said:
Have the Merker 23 my self to trim up after the straight razor. I still use the a badger brush with Taylor of Old Bond Street soaps. Can't beat a good wet shave.
Click to expand...

🙂

The wife is even interested in trying this Merker out now.

That and it's supposed to better than the canned stuff, and one tub while last about 6 months maybe.

Shaving is solved for me, I think.
 
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Electric shavers work much faster than the manual razors. Last year I decided to switch and eventually came up with Panasonic La 93 k. The shaver is good and I am happy with it.
 
I hate shaving. More accurately, I hate the feeling of being clean-shaven. I wish I could find an electric that would give me a perfectly even 1 or 2 day old stubble.
 
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When I do shave (it's beard season now) I prefer double-edge razors. A smooth, clean shave that really doesn't take too long and doesn't cost too much. My preferred blade, Astra, is about $.05 a blade and last several shaves.

I used to work in a Remington store and would sometimes test the display units. I preferred the Braun devices to all the others.
 
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